The government’s pensions bill for the public sector, published today (Thursday 13 September), is being steamrollered through the parliamentary process, despite widespread opposition, said Unite, the largest union in the country.

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: “The Public Service Pensions bill is being steamrollered through by the coalition, eager to make teachers and nurses pay for the financial chaos caused by the City elite.

“Ministers have turned unfairness and not listening to the reasoned arguments of the public sector unions into an art form.

“We will be urging the Labour party and those Liberal Democrats unhappy with the coalition’s direction of travel to put up a strong fight as the bill goes through its parliamentary stages.

“Ministers have dressed up their statements to give the impression that their plans for public sector pensions have been universally agreed by the respective workforces. This is simply not true.

“Unite will continue to campaign against this legislation, as it will mean public sector workers paying more, working longer up to the age of 68, and receiving less when they eventually retire.”